FOSSILS, FERTILIZERS, AND FALSE SOLUTIONS

This executive summary from the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) examines the intersection of the fossil fuel and agrochemical industries. It argues that the production and use of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides contribute to biodiversity loss, human rights violations, and the climate crisis, while the industry promotes 'false solutions' like carbon capture and storage (CCS) to maintain fossil fuel dependence.

• The global use of nitrogen fertilizers increased from 12.9 million tonnes in 1961 to over 123 million tonnes in 2020. High-income regions such as Japan, the United States, and parts of Western Europe consume between 85-135 kg of nitrogen fertilizer per capita, while the industry seeks to increase usage in the global South.
• Nitrogen fertilizer has a significant climate impact, accounting for approximately 2% of all global greenhouse gas emissions, which exceeds the impact of commercial aviation. The production of ammonia for these fertilizers releases an estimated 450 million tonnes of CO2 annually, a figure comparable to the total emissions of South Africa's energy system.
• The petrochemical industry is projected to drive a significant portion of oil demand, with the International Energy Agency (IEA) estimating it will be responsible for over two-thirds of the global increase in oil demand by 2026 and more than half (55%) of total oil consumption by 2050. Fertilizers and plastics together make up nearly 74% of all produced petrochemicals.
• There is a deep convergence between the fossil fuel and agrochemical industries. Of eight leading fertilizer companies studied, seven had past or present ties to the fossil industry through board memberships, ownership structures, or direct production. These industries are now collaborating on 'blue' ammonia and hydrogen projects using carbon capture and storage (CCS) to market fossil gas as a 'clean' energy and chemical source.
• The reliance on industrial agrochemicals threatens global food security, as evidenced by the 2022 market shocks in food, fuel, and fertilizer prices. This vulnerability was exacerbated by the Russian invasion of Ukraine, which disrupted grain and fertilizer exports.

APA

Center for International Environmental Law (2022). FOSSILS, FERTILIZERS, AND FALSE SOLUTIONS. https://www.ciel.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Fossil-Fertilizers-and-False-Solutions_Executive-Summary_GR.pdf

Chicago

Center for International Environmental Law. FOSSILS, FERTILIZERS, AND FALSE SOLUTIONS. 2022. https://www.ciel.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Fossil-Fertilizers-and-False-Solutions_Executive-Summary_GR.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Center for International Environmental Law |title=FOSSILS, FERTILIZERS, AND FALSE SOLUTIONS |date=September 2022 |url=https://www.ciel.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Fossil-Fertilizers-and-False-Solutions_Executive-Summary_GR.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{centerforinternationalenvironmentallaw2022fossils, author = {{Center for International Environmental Law}}, title = {{FOSSILS, FERTILIZERS, AND FALSE SOLUTIONS}}, institution = {Center for International Environmental Law}, year = {2022}, month = sep, url = {https://www.ciel.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Fossil-Fertilizers-and-False-Solutions_Executive-Summary_GR.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }